replacing the pump, keeping the blocks and radiator
Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 10:20 am
Hi all,
I need a good pump, and probably a reservoir. I have a bunch of components that use 3/8 OD" tube. Ideas?
Background: I've been watercooling for a few years now. I've never custom assembled a set-up before; I simply got the Evercool WC-202 a few years ago and it had everything I needed so I've been happy. I'm new so they won't let me post links but I'm sure you can find it with a google search of evercool, or read below.
So, my kit has a fairly small pump/reservoir/radiator in a 5.25 drive, a CPU block, GPU block, a 2nd radiator with a fan that attaches to the pump via a three-prong plug, and tubes which I'm pretty sure are 3/8" OD. They attach with what look like proprietary screw mounts and o-rings, but those could come off and I'd just have regular tubes.
Anyway, after several years of good operation, the pump seems to have died; filling the reservoir doesn't work, tilting it 90 degrees and pinching the out-tube to remove bubbles (which has always worked in the past, and is recommended by the manufacturer) doesn't work either. I could probably order and install a replacement pump, but for a similar price I could probably upgrade. So what are your thoughts?
Considerations:
- I don't overclock much, or really at all. Mostly I'm interested in a quiet rig, which the WC-202 has given me. As long as the water is flowing through the system, my parts haven't melted and I get to tell my friends about my "thirsty" computer.
- I would like to salvage as much of the current set-up as possible, as it seems silly to junk a bunch of good equipment. "Good" is defined here as working and sufficient, as opposed to "best on the market," which I don't need. I could even remove the main reservoir/radiator and use it as such. I do, however, put a premium on parts that will last. There's no point in buying a $50 dollar pump every six months when a $100 pump will last two years (or whatever).
- The 2nd radiator fan is a bit noisy at full speed, which is what I get when I plug it into the motherboard directly. Are there any kits that let you control the speed of the radiator fan using a three-prong plug? Alternately, I could take the fan right off and replace it with some other item.
- What are the considerations for attaching other kits to these tubes? I know that the Thermaltake Aquabay M5 (which uses a p500 pump), for instance, has connectors for either 3/8 or 1/2 tube... that should work, right? Can I use mostly 3/8" components if the tubes running between the M5 pump and reservoir are 1/2"?
- I like having control over the unit, and information about temperature and flow, via the faceplate. Pulling out the machine from the desk to check on flow, or to refill it, would be less than optimal.
I'm looking at that M5, because it has a nifty faceplate and everything else I need... but I've heard mixed things about the pump. I could get the M6, which is the M5 minus the pump, and then another pump (maybe a Swiftech mcp655 or 355?), but I have no idea where to begin. Thanks!
EDIT: Spec corrections.
I need a good pump, and probably a reservoir. I have a bunch of components that use 3/8 OD" tube. Ideas?
Background: I've been watercooling for a few years now. I've never custom assembled a set-up before; I simply got the Evercool WC-202 a few years ago and it had everything I needed so I've been happy. I'm new so they won't let me post links but I'm sure you can find it with a google search of evercool, or read below.
So, my kit has a fairly small pump/reservoir/radiator in a 5.25 drive, a CPU block, GPU block, a 2nd radiator with a fan that attaches to the pump via a three-prong plug, and tubes which I'm pretty sure are 3/8" OD. They attach with what look like proprietary screw mounts and o-rings, but those could come off and I'd just have regular tubes.
Anyway, after several years of good operation, the pump seems to have died; filling the reservoir doesn't work, tilting it 90 degrees and pinching the out-tube to remove bubbles (which has always worked in the past, and is recommended by the manufacturer) doesn't work either. I could probably order and install a replacement pump, but for a similar price I could probably upgrade. So what are your thoughts?
Considerations:
- I don't overclock much, or really at all. Mostly I'm interested in a quiet rig, which the WC-202 has given me. As long as the water is flowing through the system, my parts haven't melted and I get to tell my friends about my "thirsty" computer.
- I would like to salvage as much of the current set-up as possible, as it seems silly to junk a bunch of good equipment. "Good" is defined here as working and sufficient, as opposed to "best on the market," which I don't need. I could even remove the main reservoir/radiator and use it as such. I do, however, put a premium on parts that will last. There's no point in buying a $50 dollar pump every six months when a $100 pump will last two years (or whatever).
- The 2nd radiator fan is a bit noisy at full speed, which is what I get when I plug it into the motherboard directly. Are there any kits that let you control the speed of the radiator fan using a three-prong plug? Alternately, I could take the fan right off and replace it with some other item.
- What are the considerations for attaching other kits to these tubes? I know that the Thermaltake Aquabay M5 (which uses a p500 pump), for instance, has connectors for either 3/8 or 1/2 tube... that should work, right? Can I use mostly 3/8" components if the tubes running between the M5 pump and reservoir are 1/2"?
- I like having control over the unit, and information about temperature and flow, via the faceplate. Pulling out the machine from the desk to check on flow, or to refill it, would be less than optimal.
I'm looking at that M5, because it has a nifty faceplate and everything else I need... but I've heard mixed things about the pump. I could get the M6, which is the M5 minus the pump, and then another pump (maybe a Swiftech mcp655 or 355?), but I have no idea where to begin. Thanks!
EDIT: Spec corrections.